A creamy, smoky, and tangy coleslaw with crispy bacon and crunchy veggies that can be made ahead for easy entertaining or meal prep.
Cook bacon slowly over medium heat to render fat without burning. Drain bacon well to keep slaw from getting soggy. Shred cabbage finely for better dressing cling. Don’t overdress to avoid mushy texture. Chill at least 2 hours or overnight for best flavor. Toss gently to avoid bruising cabbage.
Keywords: coleslaw, bacon coleslaw, creamy coleslaw, make-ahead side dish, loaded coleslaw, bacon recipe, barbecue side, potluck recipe